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You can find great local Vestavia Hills, Alabama real estate information on Localism.com Birmingham Alabama Real Estate Jason Secor is a proud member of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, a free online community to help real estate professionals grow their business.

December 31, 2007

OK,
OK, I am sure most of us know this already, but I do have to recognize
that, yes, we are in Alabama and Alabama is in the South. (Yes, I am
referring to stereotypes, but since I live here I figured it was OK for
this article)

Basically, it is against the law to celebrate the coming if the new year with gunfire.

Lt. Henry Irby, from the Birmingham Police Department, said that, "Discharging a firearm within the city limits is illegal. It can also be dangerous...Most
people don't give much thought of what can happen when they discharge a
firearm into the air during celebrations such as New Year's Eve, Not
only could property damage happen, but most importantly, death or
serious bodily injury to a person may occur."

The Birmingham police is urging and requesting anyone with information about the "illegal discharging of a firearm within the Birmingham city limits" at contact them at 328-9311.

December 30, 2007

As a parent with with young children myself, I find it very useful
to know just some of the plants that could be poisonous to my kids.

My wife got an email today pointing out that many
of us, as parents, are very careful with the chemicals, sharp objects,
stairs, and things like this, but many of us may not be as careful when
it comes to plants.

So, for those of with or without green
thumbs, we need to make sure we are eliminating or moving those plants
which could be harmful.

The list we received had a list of some common poisonous houseplants. Let me add, that I do not know if this list is complete or not. For safety reasons, I would assume it is not complete and I would do the research myself to see if any plants I have in the house are at risk to my children's health. The common household plants we had on our list were:

Azalea

Bird of paradise flower

Lily of the valley

Caladium

Mistletoe

Morning glory

Daffodil

Philodendron

English ivy

Holly

Hyacinth

Hydrangea

Iris

Wisteria

I found a website with a list called Know Your Plants... Safe or Poisonous?
This might be a good place to start your search. Let's keep those kids
safe. They are our future, our legacy, and our blessings.

December 29, 2007

With so much media coverage about "the state of the real estate market" being broadcast, I want to start doing a now and then segment to show how the market has changed from one year to the next. Also, I think it's important as a Real Estate Consultant, as a resident, or a future home buyer or seller in the Trussville Area to know the stats.

December 27, 2007

With so much media coverage about "the state of the real estate market" being broadcast, I want to start doing a now and then segment to show how the market has changed from one year to the next. Also, I think it's important as a Real Estate Consultant, as a resident, or a future home buyer or seller in the Hoover Area to know the stats.

December 26, 2007

I want to take a moment, first, to introduce a guest writer to all of you, Rob Wood of Standifer Insurance Services will
be guest writing each month to educate our public about the insurance
industry, trends, and programs available to help you in the
insurance process. Rob works in both Georgia and Alabama. Let me add
also, that we have multiple reasons for including him in our blog. One,
he has helped many of our clients with their insurance needs helping
them getter better rates and/or better coverage. Second, he is our
insurance agent as well. We trust Rob with our insurance needs and, in
our opinion, you can too.

Price vs. Cost

How cheaper can sometimes be more expensive.

Everybody
likes to save money, let’s face it we are a Wal-Mart generation.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to save money of course, but what
length will you go to “save” money.

I know people who will drive 10 miles out of the way to save 3 cents on a gallon of gas (raise your hand with me if you have done this).

I
want to tell you a story. I got an ipod a few years ago and I listened
to it all the time. Now anybody who has an ipod knows that sooner or
later the battery will go bad and it will need to be replaced. The
first time this happened I sent it back to Apple and had them
replace the battery, now since it was out of warranty I had to pay to
have it fixed. I think when it was all said and done I spent about $75
and it took around a week and a half before I got it back.

I
continued to listen to it so much that over time the battery once again
went out. This time I decided that there might be a way I could fix the
battery without having to spend so much. I searched the web and found a
“Do it your self” replacement battery kit that was only about $25. I decided that that it would be much cheaper if I replaced the battery than paying a professional to do it. I sent off for the kit and after a week I received it in the mail and began surgery on my ipod.

Well, I am no electrician or surgeon for that matter. My ipod was now in a coma.
I went the next day to a parts store and bought a soldering tool
thinking that I could revive my ipod. I have never soldered anything in
my life and my ipod paid the price for my ignorance.

So I ended up spending more money and time trying to save money by doing it my self instead of leaving it to the professionals,
and now instead of having an ipod that I listen to music on, I have an
ipod that I use as a prop to talk to you about price vs. cost.

In
the insurance business there are a lot of people trying to save money
by cutting corners, whether it be going with a less than reputable
company or lowering their coverages.

This could cost you an enormous amount of time and money down the road.
It is very important that you talk to an insurance professional, who
can talk to you about your needs and make sure that you get the right
policy that fits your needs. Insurance
is not something that you want to focus solely on the price. I have
talked to people before who have bragged about their insurance because
it was so cheap all the while they have no idea what it covers or how
it works.If cheaper meant better, then no one would drive BMWs or Lexus’.
The term that says you get what you pay for is so often very true. This
does not mean that you should be forced to spend enormous amounts of
money on your insurance, just make sure that you speak to a
professional who can guide you through the sometimes complicated world
of insurance. Talk to an agent you trust to help you. Make them earn your business.

December 24, 2007

“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn. That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors." When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem …(because of the) star they had seen in the east (that) went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”

Taken from Matthew 2 & Luke 2

I wanted to take the time this season to keep us all reminded of the reason for the season. It’s so easy to become distracted in such a busy time. In reflecting on this story, I came to the realization that I believe this amazing story has some meaningful comparisons that can be drawn from it. Prosperity comes to mind when I read about the wise men. I consider provision, as I reflect on the shepherds. And when I think of the Baby Jesus, I think of the Gift, the thing that we pursue to take hold of more than anything else in life.

In this coming year I want to wish upon you these things. As you pursue that which is important to you in life I want to wish upon you provision on your journey. I also want to wish upon you the prosperity that comes when you pursue what is important.

Here’s to a year of prosperity, provision, and possession of the important things in life.

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

December 23, 2007

With so much media coverage about "the state of the real estate market" being broadcast, we want to start doing a now and then segment to show how the market has changed from one year to the next. Also, we think it's important as a Real Estate Consultant, as a resident, or a future home buyer or seller in the Mountain Brook Area to know the stats.

According
to the articles, Ruffner Mountain just had a groundbreaking for a $4.5
million Tree Top Visitor Center. Along with this is planned the
purchase of another 500 acres of land, which would make Ruffner Mountain the largest nature preserve in the nation.

The
nonprofit which runs Ruffner Mountain was formed 30 years ago but has
lacked the resources and infrastructure necessary to take on such an
undertaking. They are planning on its new grand opening to be in the
fall of 2008.

According to Rooting for Ruffner, when you..."Throw
in the plans for the Railroad Reservation Park in downtown Birmingham
and the proposed Red Mountain Park to the west, and you get a glimpse
of possibilities that could truly transform the metro area, with green
space spanning across the city and offering an array of recreational
activities. The collective parks could be a great tourism attraction,
drawing in people who like to bike, hike or just experience nature in
great big chunks. But just as important, the parks would add quality to
the lives of people who call the Birmingham metro area home. (If it
encourages Birmingham residents to lead healthier, more active lives,
all the better.) "

December 21, 2007

With so much media coverage about "the state of the real estate market" being broadcast, I want to start doing a now and then segment to show how the market has changed from one year to the next. Also, I think it's important as a Real Estate Consultant, as a resident, or a future home buyer or seller in the Vestavia Area to know the stats.

November 2007Sold Properties: 23Average Price: $503,691 (Median Price: $384,500)Price Range: $180,500-$1,250,000Average Days on Market: 171 (The seems high! The average DOM for 2007 is still less than 90 days.)